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Cycle Time

Measuring the duration from initiation to completion of tasks to enhance workflow efficiency and optimise performance.

Tracking the time taken to complete a unit of work from start to finish.

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Overview

Cycle time is the measure of the total time taken to complete a unit of work, from the moment it is initiated until it is delivered. This metric is crucial for teams aiming to enhance their efficiency and predictability in delivering value. By tracking cycle time, organisations can identify bottlenecks, streamline processes, and optimise workflows, ultimately leading to faster delivery of products and services.

Understanding cycle time enables teams to make informed decisions based on empirical data, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. It allows for better forecasting and planning, as teams can predict how long future work will take based on historical performance. This predictability is essential for aligning stakeholder expectations and ensuring that customer needs are met in a timely manner.

Cycle time also supports a systemic approach to value delivery, as it encourages teams to focus on the entire workflow rather than isolated tasks. By reducing cycle time, organisations can enhance their responsiveness to market changes and customer feedback, thereby increasing their competitive advantage. This focus on efficiency and adaptability is vital in today’s fast-paced environment, where the ability to deliver value quickly and sustainably is paramount.

Learn More about Cycle Time

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Why Measuring Individual Cycle Time is Killing Your Flow (And What to Do Instead)

Measuring individual cycle time in Kanban misleads teams, hides real bottlenecks, and harms flow. Focus on system-wide metrics like PCE, WIP, and throughput instead.
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Multitasking reduces team productivity. Learn how focusing on finishing tasks, limiting work in progress, and value-based prioritisation boosts efficiency and business value.
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Kanban Guide for Scrum Teams

Discover more about Kanban Guide for Scrum Teams and how it can help you in your Agile journey!
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Getting started with Kanban.

Learn how to launch a Kanban pilot, define workflows, use metrics like cycle time and throughput, and foster continuous improvement for better team productivity.
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Why is Kanban such a popular approach for people in creative industries?

Explains how Kanban helps creative teams organise workflows, reduce chaos, prioritise tasks, and improve efficiency without stifling creativity, using real-world examples.
Course

Applying Flow Metrics for Scrum

Elevate Your Scrum Mastery with ‘Applying Flow Metrics for Scrum’: Transform your Agile practices with our immersive, hands-on course. Dive deep into the world of flow metrics and emerge with the skills to enhance your team’s efficiency and delivery. Join us for a journey of practical learning and real-world application – it’s time to turn data into action!

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